One of the universal complaints that people in business around the globe have is meetings — why they have to take so much time and yet often create so little value.

For a moment, let’s give meetings their due, and talk about the good parts of meetings.

First, meetings are an efficient way to get people updated and coordinated.

Second, meetings are a great way to build connection and trust on a team: we get to see our colleagues in action, brainstorm with them, learn about what’s important to them, perhaps even get to know them personally.

Third, meetings can spur creative thinking: seeing other people wrestle with a common issue, here them thinking out loud, bounce ideas off them.

And finally, sometimes it’s nice to work along side others on a common task.

Those are all compelling reasons to keep having meetings. So now let’s get to some ideas for making the meetings we have more productive and enjoyable. Here are some possibilities:

Consider whether you have to have the meeting at all. If you do, then be very judicious about whom you invite; only invite those people who must be at the meeting and have something to add.